Sister Teresa Urda

Sister's Story

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Sister Teresa Urda died at Maria Hall, Danville, on Sunday, April 2, 2017.
She was born Oct. 15, 1942, in Torrington, Conn., and was one of five children born to the late Andrew and Helen (Vasko) Urda.

She attended Sacred Heart School in Torrington and her junior year at Torrington High School. Her three other high school years were spent at St. Cyril Academy, Danville, where she graduated in 1960.
Sister entered the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville on Sept. 8, 1961, and was received as a novice on Aug. 13, 1962. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 13, 1964.
On the elementary level Sister taught seventh grade at Blessed Sacrament School, Charleston, South Carolina, and eighth grade at St. Francis School, Torrington.
Sister taught English at Pius X High School, Pottstown, English and Psychology at Andrean High School, Merrillville, Ind., and English at Lebanon Catholic, Lebanon. During her years in secondary education she served as moderator of the yearbook, the Mission Club, the Student Council and the sophomore and junior classes.
For 11 years, Sister Teresa was Director of Maintenance at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Sister was particularly interested in environmental concerns. She was a volunteer at the House of Care at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for many years.
Sister Teresa had a gift for writing and editing. Each week she sent out the Focus which apprised the Sisters of the congregation's activities and achievements. She did the publicity for the activities of the Spiritual Center, one of the congregation's ministries located in Danville. As moderator of the St. Cyril Academy Alumnae Association, she compiled news for The Challenge, the newsletter of the organization. Her most important achievement was writing the history of the first hundred years of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Sister Teresa is survived by one sister, Mrs. Helen Borkowski, Harwinton, Conn.; one brother, Cyril, Torrington; and several nieces and nephews.

Transferal and recitation of the Rosary is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Maria Hall followed by a Wake Service at 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Maria Hall chaplain, the Rev. Gerard Heintzelman at 1:30 p.m. at Maria Hall.
Burial will be in the Sisters' cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brady Funeral Home, Danville.